A festivity for a donation of materials and equipment from the Governments of Canada and Kingdom of Norway was organized today March 18, 03 at the Ministry of National Defense Headquarters. This activity was developed within the process of destruction of antipersonnel mines according to the "Convention on banning use, stock, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines and their destruction" (Ottawa Convention).

Participants to this activity were: Raphael Girard, ambassador of Canada; Leif Arne Ulland, ambassador of Norway; Sorin Encutescu, State Secretary and chief of Department for Parliament Liaison, Legislative Harmonization and Public Relations; General Dr. Mihail Popescu, chief of General Staff, generals and officers from General Staff and Section of Control and Verification of Armament and the units implied in destruction of anti-personnel mines.

This occasion the ambassadors of the two countries appreciated the decision Romania took in implementing the program of destruction of the anti-personnel mines and the efforts of the Romanian Armed Forces in observing the calendar proposed for ending this operation till May 1, 2005.
This donation evaluated at about 160,00 USD consists in electronic equipment and shelter type tents for firing fields the mines are destroyed.

In September 1, 2001, when the destroying activity started, Romania had 1076839 mines and till now 716148 mines were destroyed.

The declarations from Ottawa (October 5, 1996) and Brussels (June 27, 1997) through which the international community was urged to negotiate a compulsory international and juridical agreement for banning the use, stock, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines and their destroy represented the base in September 18, 1997 of the "Convention on use, stock, production and transfer of the anti-personnel mines and their destruction". This Convention becomes in force March 1, 1999. The Convention was signed by about 140 states and was ratified by over 110 countries.

Romania signed this Convention in December 3, 1997 and ratified it in November 15, 2000 becoming a state-part in May 1, 2001.

MoND Press Office